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Nation’s Top Patient Advocacy Groups Urge United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to Support Investment in Health Prevention

Alexandria, October 12, 2011

Today, leaders from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association will testify before the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the need for a healthcare system that better incorporates, coordinates and values quality and prevention. Collectively, these organizations represent millions of patients, survivors and families affected by four of the nation’s most prevalent chronic diseases: cancer, diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Americans at risk of developing these deadly and costly diseases can benefit tremendously from proven community interventions, clinical services, early detection and health screenings. The return on investment for preventing chronic disease can be measured in terms of lives saved as well as reduced health care spending.

“While we have made great strides over the past two decades in reducing the rate of death from cancer, we are in danger of falling behind previous generations,” said John R. Seffrin, Ph.D., CEO of the American Cancer Society and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) and a member of the federal Advisory Group on Prevention, Health Promotion, and Integrative and Public Health. “Much of the suffering and death from cancer that occurs today, along with the substantial cost we incur of treating advanced disease, could be reduced through evidence-based prevention.”

A unified focus on prevention that includes individual efforts, contributions from government and initiatives by non-profits is the only way this problem can be addressed. Coverage for preventive screenings, the creation of the National Prevention Strategy and initiatives supported by the Prevention and Public Health Fund are key elements of this approach.

“Every 17 seconds another American is diagnosed with diabetes. Already, nearly 26 million American children and adults have diabetes, and another 79 million have prediabetes, which puts them at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes,” said John W. Griffin, Jr., Chair of the Board, American Diabetes Association. “Yet, despite these scary statistics, we know that through proven interventions aimed at diabetes prevention, like the National Diabetes Prevention Program, which prevents or delays over half of new cases of diabetes, we can stop the diabetes epidemic from spreading across the country.”

“By 2030 we project that two out of five Americans—116 million people, or 40 percent of the population—will have some form of cardiovascular disease,” said Nancy Brown, CEO, American Heart Association. “But we can change the trajectory of these frightening projections if we as a nation are willing to take deliberate and focused actions to prevent or delay the many forms of cardiovascular disease.”

The United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions has demonstrated a strong commitment to chronic disease prevention. This investment must be preserved in order to match the size and scope of the fiscal and personal impact of chronic disease. Using the Prevention and Public Health Fund to make a dedicated investment in proven chronic disease prevention programs is critical to this effort.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is leading the fight to Stop Diabetes® and its deadly consequences and fighting for those affected by diabetes. The Association funds research to prevent, cure and manage diabetes; delivers services to hundreds of communities; provides objective and credible information; and gives voice to those denied their rights because of diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. For more information, please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit diabetes.org. Information from both of these sources is available in English and Spanish. Find us on Facebook (American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn)